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Mahogany Needlebloom

Shrub type: Coniferous (Stores water in its stem)

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 11 years. It is very resistant to destructive insect infestation but susceptible to disease.

It has numerous very thick, twisting stems covered in fine, rough, mahogany-coloured bark, and the wood inside is burgundy-brown.

The branches are long and thin that and are covered with large amounts of giant, needle-like, leaves with jagged edges. The leaves themselves are muted yellow and lilac, frail and soft.

In late spring it produces several large, magenta blossoms with broad, flat petals with a tube-like floral cup. They are sturdy and have a fairly strong scent that smells like wet dog.

In early autumn 4 pointed fruits ripen. The soft purple skin is delicate and edible when roasted; it is sweet and sour, and the soft brown flesh is spicy and sour and dry. The olive seed is large and sits at the end of the fruit.

It is said to be able to live for hundreds of years.
It is suitable for creating flexible, durable textiles
It coexists peacefully with other plants.